Issues: Aging

This past Saturday, Senator Robach had the opportunity to attend, and speak at, the annual luncheon for AARP Chapter 4598. Senator Robach also presented the organization with a proclamation to celebrate their 20 years of service to our community.

Queens, NY – Senator Michael Gianaris was proud to announce the restoration of state funds to keep senior centers open. The restoration of these funds allows for senior centers originally slated to close to remain open.

Senator Gianaris said, “Our seniors are important members of the community and have worked hard throughout their lives to ensure a pleasant and comfortable lifestyle later in life. They deserve to spend their days respectfully and in a place that they can enjoy.”

Brooklyn- State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), a member and former Chairman of the New York State Senate Aging Committee, today held a press conference with Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-C, Brooklyn, Staten Island) to announce the State Legislature’s approval of the 2011-2012 State Budget, which contained full restoration of Title XX Funding, in the amount of $22.5 million, so to keep open senior centers in New York.

I am glad we were able to restore this crucial money for our senior centers. For so many seniors these centers serve as a crucial lifeline to the outside world. Our seniors have done so much for us, the least we can do is make sure they have the ability to enjoy their golden years with respect and dignity.

The State Budget announced on March 27, 2011 has restored State human services funding which will help keep senior centers open.

In the face of some of the most significant and potentially damaging government budget cuts in recent memory, Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House will hold a town hall meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 6:30-8:00 pm at its headquarters in the Queensbridge Houses at 10-25 41st Avenue in Long Island City.

The following proposed cuts will be the main topic for discussion:

Senior Services: Cuts to Title XX funds in the Governor's Executive Budget would force the NYC Department for the Aging to close 105 senior centers. The loss of $24 million in these funds would be devastating, and affect over 8,000 seniors in New York City.

As the state wrestles with passing an on-time budget, marked by painful cuts to close a $10 billion budget gap, Long Island could be getting good news this Spring when two components in New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle’s Innovation Highway are set to get underway.

LaValle says that the engine to drive the creation of new jobs and boost the economy is right in our backyard. “This Spring,” LaValle said, “two projects, The Stony Brook University Incubator at Calverton and The Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center are scheduled to bloom.” The projects are part of LaValle’s Innovation Highway – a tech corridor stretching from The Stony Brook University Incubator at Calverton to North Shore Hospital in Manhasset .

On Friday, March 18, 2011, NYS Senator Eric Adams was joined by a host of other elected officials at a press conference to denounce cuts in Title XX funding to senior centers. Title XX funds make up 25% of all funding for NYC senior centers; the diversion of this vital financial support will result in the closure of 105 New York City senior centers. 8,000 – 10,000 senior citizens will lose their center and the many benefits (such as meals, transportation, and social services) that these centers provide.

City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) and state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) joined senior citizens at the Jacob Riis Settlement House Friday in Queensbridge to rally against Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plan to shutter the senior center and a similar facility in Ravenswood....

“I know how important the Queensbridge and Ravenswood center is to this community and we’re not going to let it close,”Senator Gianris said.

Albany – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), a member of the Senate Aging Committee, has issued the following statement regarding today's vote in the State Senate to approve a budget recommendation that would maintain the current level of Title XX Funding:

"The State Senate today decided that we will not allow the proposed Governor's $25 million cut to senior centers in the City of New York in our budget. Closing senior centers will be detrimental to the health and well-being of thousands of New Yorkers.